The "Birth of Saint John the Baptist" Church in Suceava, also known as the Church of the Cocoons, the Church of the Beizadeles or the Church of the Ladies, is an Orthodox church built in 1643 in the city center, near the Royal Court. Her feast day is celebrated on June 24.
The church was included on the List of historical monuments in Suceava county in 2015.
Archaeological research has shown that on the site of the current church there was another church from the reign of Alexander the Good (1400-1432). There is a stone in the church from 1481, suggesting repairs after the 1476 fire caused by the Turkish army of Sultan Mohammed II.
During 1987-1989, archaeological research in the churchyard revealed a stone edifice dated at the end of the 14th century, functional until the first half of the 16th century.
Archaeological findings indicate the existence of a cemetery and a church in the first half of the 15th century. A grave with a gold coin was found in the churchyard, suggesting the existence of a cemetery and a church prior to the construction of the present monument in the 17th century.
The Coconilor Church was built in 1643 by ruler Vasile Lupu, having the role of chapel of the princely court. Above the entrance there is an inscription in Slavonic with the coat of arms of Moldova.
The building was repaired and painted in 1884 and restored between 1924-1926.
The church is small, slender, with a rectangular plan, semicircular apse to the east and polygonal porch to the west. The nave is vaulted in Moldavian style, with an octagonal spire on top.
The decoration of the church is typical of Moldovan architecture from the 17th century, influenced by mountain art. The facade is decorated with "sawtooth" girdle and blind braced arches.
The church has a bell tower to the north and a small ossuary basement. In the courtyard there is a fountain, formerly the fountain of the princely court.
Sursa: ro.wikipedia.org
